Here’s wishing each of you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Enjoy the day of food, fun, and family. And maybe some football! ThePreachersWord is going to take a Thanksgiving break for the next couple of days. We will repeat two of our more popular posts from the past several months tomorrow and Friday.

Today’s “Thanksgiving” post is my application of the song, “Count your many blessings.” A fun way to do this is to take the alphabet and list some of them. Some are spiritual. Some physical. Some personal. And little things we take for granted.

America—My home. Not perfect, but a God blessed land of freedom, opportunity, & wealth.

Bible—God’s Word. It directs. Teaches. Reproves. And inspires. I can’t live without it.

Nature–Birds and Trees. Mountains and Valleys. Waterfalls and Rivers. Oceans and Seas. They give glory to God and bring pleasure to our lives.

Onion Rings—or an onion loaf, or onion strings or a blooming onion. Hot. Fresh. Crispy. I sure like ‘em.

Pardon—If I didn’t sin, I wouldn’t need it. But I have. And I do. Thank God He is still willing to pardon my iniquities and forgive my many sins.

Quiet Time—Like right now. No phone is ringing No radio is blaring. No horn is beeping. No TV is clamoring for my attention. The time to think. Reflect. Count my blessings.

Rache’l—She’s my daughter. She’s had some tough times. But I’m grateful for her strength. Her courage. Her faithfulness. And her husband Jared. Like her brother, a lot of fun! You’d like her!

Salvation—It’s a fearful thing to be lost. To be without God in your life. To have no hope. Thank God for salvation through Jesus Christ

Tomatoes—Some folks don’t like ‘‘em, but I do. I want tomatoes on my salad and on my sandwiches. And what would a BLT be without a tomato? I even like fried green tomatoes! Thanks, Lord!

Umbrellas— You can walk in the rain and not get wet. You sure need them in Florida. You should have several, because they are easy to lose.

Vision—The ability to see the beauty of God’’s creation. To read His Word. To see smiling faces. To watch a basketball game. To see my family.

Wife—Norma Jean’s mine. She’s been my constant and faithful & companion for 44 years. She’s shared my joys and consoled me in sorrow. She loves me. And I love her. And she’s the best preacher’s wife I know of!

Ken.. The only thing that could make this Thanksgiving Holiday any more wonderful for me would be to have a seat at the table prepared by Norma, where I know I would be welcomed! Have a terrific day together! Love you both for the work you do and the examples you set for others. Praise God for His wonderful Love and Grace!

The Bible is indeed full of blessings; but the blessings of the Old Testament are different from the blessings of the New Testament. It seems many prefer the O.T. blessings: God told Israel if they obeyed him, he would bless them in the promised land with prosperity and victory over enemies. American Christians often think their nation is also blessed (assuming God’s covenant with Israel applies to them as well).
Jesus, however, brings a new covenant: he blesses his poor disciples with his new kingdom, an international kingdom of disciples who follow his lowly, gentle way through the blessing of his Spirit (and the fruit of the Spirit), and look forward to their future blessing in heaven (and the new heavens and new earth).